Octuplet Mom Looks for TV Career as Child Expert

New mom of octuplets Nadya Suleman, whose own mother says her daughter may have a serious mental problem, is eager to dispense her best child-rearing advice. The 33-year-old single mother of 14 offered Oprah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer the opportunity to tap her parental wisdom for the low, low price of $2 million. She allegedly hopes to parlay her famous fertility into a career in reality TV, à la Jon and Kate Gosselin.

Mother of Octuplets
Nadya Suleman told TODAY's Ann Curry in an exclusive interview that "a huge family" was a childhood dream growing up as an only child. Suleman, already of mother of six, also denied charges that she was irresponsible to have so many babies.

Paul Drinkwater, NBC/AP

The reported grandfather of the octuplets escorts two children to a bus outside the Suleman home in Whittier, CA. The mother, Nadya Suleman, has six other children.

Jason Redmond, AP

Araceli Castro, right, who identified herself as a nanny, talks to reporters as she arrives at the Whittier, CA, home of a woman who gave birth to octuplets this week.

Jason Redmond, AP

Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center nursing staff who delivered octuplets on January 27, 2009. The six boys and two girls -- weighing between 1 pound, 8 ounces, and 3 pounds, 4 ounces -- were born nine weeks premature by C-section and are all in stable condition.

Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center

Dr. Jalil Riazi, right, and Dr. Karen Maples at a news conference on the amazing octuplets born at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in Bellflower, CA. Doctors say the octuplets are a feisty bunch that appear healthy after being born kicking and crying.

Nick Ut, AP

Doctors at Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center, expecting seven babies, said they were surprised by the birth of an eighth infant.

David McNew, Getty Images

The home of the Nadya Suleman, the Whitier, CA, woman who gave birth to octuplets with six children already at home.

Damian Dovarganes, AP

Television news vans outside the Kaiser Permanente Bellflower Medical Center in south Los Angeles. The public is following the story of the world's second live-born set of octuplets.

Damian Dovarganes, AP

First Octuplets: Nkem Chukwu, 29, right rear, her husband Iyke Louis Udobi, 41, center, and her mother Janet Chukwu, from Houston, pose with their eight children. Chukwu and Udobi are parents of the world's first octuplets born in 1998, but one child died a week after birth. Their little sister Favor, 6, third from right, joined the family in 2002.

Bebeto Matthews, AP

Angela Suleman, the octuplets grandmother, says she was so concerned with her daughter's "obsession with children" that she consulted with a psychologist. Angela told the press: "[She] is not evil, but she is obsessed with children. She loves children, she is very good with children, but obviously she overdid herself."

She added: "It can't go on any longer. She's got six children and no husband. I was brought up the traditional way. I firmly believe in marriage. But she didn't want to get married."

Oh, yeah, you heard that right. And there's more.

This self-described "full-time student," whose own parents have been forced to file bankruptcy due to the financial pressures of caring for their daughter and her children, is single. A divorcee, she broke up with her boyfriend just before the birth of her first child seven years ago.

Now there are eight more babies, laying in a neonatal intensive-care unit, some fighting for their lives. And where is their daddy, you might ask?

Did she use a sperm donor? Did she use an egg donor? No one knows. It's highly unlikely that Nadya conceived eight babies all on her own, the natural way. Suleman was working at a fertility clinic, and speculation is that the babies were conceived with frozen sperm donated by a friend; perhaps the same man as the father of her two-year-old twins.

Nadya's fruitful pregnancy gets more and more controversial every day, as medical experts question the ethics of the fertility specialist who allowed this single mom to add eight more babies to her brood. Women who achieve this kind of multiple pregnancy via infertility treatments are customarily counseled to terminate some of the embryos. Supposedly, Nadya received this advice during the first trimester.

Angela Suleman has said the 33-year-old refused, because she was unable to make such a "life-or-death decision." Call me crazy, but didn't she make that choice anyway, by choosing to bear such high-risk babies?

The story continues to unfold, with more and more outrageous details coming to light every day, as the babies get stronger. As of now, all but one of them are breathing on their own. Someday they are going to ask a lot of questions about just how they came into this world, just like we are today.

This woman must be delusional. Not only does she seem to believe she can continue to raise children like a litter of puppies while her parents foot the bill, now she wants to tell the rest of us how to parent? This is not a mother, this is a car crash. We are all rubbernecking at the mess on the side of the road, while those poor kids are the collateral damage.
What do you think? Is Nadya crazy or does she just love kids? Did the doctors who may have helped her have an ethical and moral responsibility to advise this young woman against taking fertility drugs?

TheTalkies:RelatedVideos

Do Jon and Kate Gosselin Still Talk?After 10 years of marriage, eight children and a hit reality TV show, Jon and Kate Gosselin decided to end their marriage. Jon opens up about co-parenting octuplets and where his relationship stands with his ex-wife.

First Look: Do Jon and Kate Gosselin Still Talk?After 10 years of marriage, eight children and a hit reality TV show, Jon and Kate Gosselin decided to end their marriage. Jon opens up about co-parenting octuplets and where his relationship stands with his ex-wife.

The Need for Child Friendly Spaces in HaitiDemeter Russafov of AMURT talks about how since the earthquake, children in Haiti have shown signs of trauma, are more withdrawn and quiet. Haiti orphans are the children who are most heavily impacted and definitely show signs of trauma. These children live in very hard conditions. Russafov says that they are spending greater attention on these children.
Sara Wolf of AMURT is coordinating the Child Friendly Space program. Generally, she is coordinating Child Protection Services and curren

China Formally Eases One-Child PolicyChina's one-child policy may soon become history. On Saturday, the country formally approved easing this decades-old policy. Now, a couple can have up to two children, as long as one of the parents is an only child. That might mean a brother, or sister for babies otherwise playing by themselves. Before, a couple could only have a second child if they were both only children. For father Chen Jun, the change is more than just a privilege.

ReaderComments (Page 1 of 42)

I will admit that my office has done its fair share of rubbernecking this subject to death. Yet, I agree that we should all stop giving this woman attention now that she is attempting to bargain with Oprah!! This is insane and what is even worse is that these children need a real home. What once entertained me now makes me very sad.

I think that she is insane along with the doctor who thought this was the right thing to do. He should be punished or maybe help pay the bills for these children who he is responsible for bringing into the world.. She has big problems mentally and needs alot of help!!! Unlike Jon and Kate they are a happily married couple who are responsible and emotionally stable, so she can not compare herself to them.

I STRONGLY believe that if the following is true:1. Fertility physicians participated in this pregnancy; 2. The family is supporting this woman, and3. This woman is receiving any type of city, state, or federal assistance,the State of California should litigate against the physicians involved, the father or fathers, and the parents to retrieve at least some of the funds that we are paying for this irresponsible woman to have more children. If this woman has mental issues, shame on her parents, her physicians, and the father of these children by enabling this woman to continue to neglect of all these children. How can she be a full time student and carry a pregnancy with 8 fetuses and have 6 children.

ANYONE who pays this woman any amount of money will need their head examined. The sad part is that the children will be the ones to suffer. The dr. that implanted this woman also is nuts. I mean a single mom and now all these children, she needs her head examined also. Who will be paying for them??? WE WILL BE PAYING FOR THEM. This is insanity at its best.

Im just glad I dont live in California and have to foot the bill for this woman...This woman is crazy....It makes me angry that the Drs went on with the procedure....I will loose all respect for Oprah or any other talk show that even grants her an interview....I wouldnt even begin to take her advice on raising children..Its so sad...

I have a grandchild who was born weighing in at 1# 12oz...her bill for the 4 months of NICU care was close to $750,000...we had insurance thankfully but still had a large portion to pay ourselves...Any money this woman collects should be collected for the expenses of care and future care...Trust me she won't have a penny to herself after all the expenses come in...This is just a case of technology gone waaaay wrong...

This is not right.. How is she paying to have this all happen? Its hard today to bring up 1 or 2 kids wilh two parents working, never mind 6 or 14kids with no job... Iam so tired of paying for all these people who just want to have kids. Its not fair! Especially the medical bills are unreal, who is footing the bill for that? I hope, there is no tv show or book that will give her a dime for what she is doing. Times are tough right now for all of us who work 8-12 hrs a day to make ends meet..

This is a very sick woman and should not be given any more publicity. She needs counseling and a hysterectomy. Shame on her for bringing these children she can not provide for into this world. The doctor who assisted her should have to support these children and even loose his license to practice medicine.

I agree with you. The children do need a real home. Where is children's services??? There is no way a single mother can take care of all these children. I raised my family and was a single mother. It was very hard and I depended on my parents. These poor grandparents hearts are broken. Their daughter is mentally ill and the doctors ingnored all signs. Now we have to support these babies and her. There should be laws against this. I feel sorry for these children. Someone should stop her and these doctors.

She is sick and needs help. Her parents need to have her committed. The babies need love and parents. Also a home that can support them! They need to be adopted. The DR. needs to go to jail! If you want a face lift or tummy tuck a REAL DR questions your reasoning! If you want 8 kids, have no husband, no career or money a QUACK says OK! Let''s go! ?? I think not! We live in SAD, SAD times.

Think about what you are saying, why are blaming the parents? she is a grown women, The parents are only quilty of loving her and hoping she would get better. What if she was your child. Hope for better days go with Love

The responsibility lies not only with the mother, grandparents and doctors, but the media as well. It is the media that gives so much attention to women who CHOOSE to take fertility drugs and then give birth to litters of children. It is the media that create such a frenzy, because of the voyeuristic nature of the public. It is the media that gives these parents and children "celebrity status". It is the marketing machine that fall over themselves to get these kids under contracts for diapers, cars, and everything else that is sellable. Since the 1950’s with the Dion kids from Canada who were put in a virtual human zoo for publicity and display, our society is always looking for a new freak show.Look at the media grappling to get the first pictures of the Jolie-Pitt kids, paying millions for the privilege. It is pathetic.

The only difference here is this woman took it one step further and is trying to make a deal on her own. She probably planned this whole thing just for the media attention and the possibility of the money she could make. Creating such media attention around planned, multiple births create people like Nadya who uses the system for her benefit.

20 years ago, I took fertility drugs and had 6 embryos, went ahead with my physicians suggestion and had a reduction to 2, as I was told the health problems would be staggering, It is not about pro life to me, it is about quality of life, and in the end gave birth to beautiful, healthy twins whom I have financially taken care. It was my responsibility to provide for my children, no one else’s.

These grandparents are enablers, they set no boundaries and by allowing their daughter to live with them as she procreates like a “bitch in heat”, they are giving their seal of approval to this mania. I see their bankruptcy as a scam as well. All their bills are washed away, and in comes state agencies with monthly checks to support these people. Do they even work? Can you imagine the welfare money they get every month for all those kids?Let’s face it “full time student” really means “I do not work”.

I say if this woman wants a check every month she needs to get a job like the rest of us.

I support my 5 children and do not expect help from anyone. Giving birth is a choice that requires maturity and responsibility; hiding behind a pro-life banner does not put food on the table for your children. Nor is it an excuse to have more children than you can physically, emotionally or financially care for. This woman needs to face the consequences of her actions. The media needs to stop, NO freebies, NO Oprah deal, NO interest whatsoever. Toss her back into obscurity where she belongs and set an example for others who may do this for the attention. These are children, not prized pooches! The public needs to ask themselves why are they so interested in watching a freak show.

The responsibility lies not only with the mother, grandparents and doctors, but the media as well. It is the media that gives so much attention to women who CHOOSE to take fertility drugs and then give birth to litters of children. It is the media that create such a frenzy, because of the voyeuristic nature of the public. It is the media that gives these parents and children "celebrity status". It is the marketing machine that fall over themselves to get these kids under contracts for diapers, cars, and everything else that is sellable. Since the 1950’s with the Dion kids from Canada who were put in a virtual human zoo for publicity and display, our society is always looking for a new freak show.Look at the media grappling to get the first pictures of the Jolie-Pitt kids, paying millions for the privilege. It is pathetic.

The only difference here is this woman took it one step further and is trying to make a deal on her own. She probably planned this whole thing just for the media attention and the possibility of the money she could make. Creating such media attention around planned, multiple births create people like Nadya who uses the system for her benefit.

20 years ago, I took fertility drugs and had 6 embryos, went ahead with my physicians suggestion and had a reduction to 2, as I was told the health problems would be staggering, It is not about pro life to me, it is about quality of life, and in the end gave birth to beautiful, healthy twins whom I have financially taken care. It was my responsibility to provide for my children, no one else’s.

These grandparents are enablers, they set no boundaries and by allowing their daughter to live with them as she procreates like a “bitch in heat”, they are giving their seal of approval to this mania. I see their bankruptcy as a scam as well. All their bills are washed away, and in comes state agencies with monthly checks to support these people. Do they even work? Can you imagine the welfare money they get every month for all those kids?Let’s face it “full time student” really means “I do not work”.

I say if this woman wants a check every month she needs to get a job like the rest of us.

I support my 5 children and do not expect help from anyone. Giving birth is a choice that requires maturity and responsibility; hiding behind a pro-life banner does not put food on the table for your children. Nor is it an excuse to have more children than you can physically, emotionally or financially care for. This woman needs to face the consequences of her actions. The media needs to stop, NO freebies, NO Oprah deal, NO interest whatsoever. Toss her back into obscurity where she belongs and set an example for others who may do this for the attention. These are children, not prized pooches! The public needs to ask themselves why are they so interested in watching a freak show.

I agree 100% with you. It is a sin and disgrace this woman and her husband who can NOT support the 6 children they had to purposely go out and have a LITTER of children. Not only are they using the children to make money on talk shows, it will be the rest of us paying for 14 children they can't support, feed and provide health care. Shame on the doctors for doing this! They are NOT supposed to be practicing medicine for fame but for the welfare of their patients. I guess they figured the parents not the unfortunate children would benefit. Well, I will not watch any show that promotes them exploiting these children. I have a 36 yr. old son who was 3.6 at birth and to this day still has complications with his lungs. No one was running around throwing money at us to help with his medical bills, etc. I say sterilize the parents and remove all 14 children from their money grubbing sick parents.

o my gosh, ok - r we serious here. the economy is fantasic, there are people who have no jobs and no money and 1 child to support...so this SINGLE moron after having 6 kids, decides getting pregnant is the way to go....and now - since your BROKE, you feel it's worth 2 million and a reality show...give me a break....some people are not deserving of ovaries....i hope your kids are taken away from you (i hate to say it, i have 2 boys myself) but a 2 bedroom apt. is not sufficient, and how far do you think 2 mil. is gonna get ya (p.s the only reason people "care" is because life sucks for you having 14 kids to take care of because at the end of the day we sleep at night, and your ass is up feeding and diapering and getting spit up on every minute WWOOHOOO now thats fun)...i would assume all ya really know is BABY - how r u going to manage 14 kids and your everyday life. rediculous, and OPRAH, why do you feed into this crap...whooooo cccccares...dont you think your weight fluctuaion got you enough rating and magazine sales, ets... etc... etc...I HOPE YOU HAD YOUR TUBES TIED IN MULTIPLE KNOTS AND GORILLA GLUED. i hope your kids make something of themselves and becomes stronger from their situation you - their mom - put them in, cause otherwise the neglect half of them will feel is so sad.

I agree with the user Edensfire. I too, am a mother of 3 children. I have been a single mom for a LONG time and let me tell you making all the decisions for just one of my children at any given time can be overwhelming. I CANNOT fathom having FOURTEEN children and being a single "full time student" which is code for UNEMPLOYED. I am appalled at this woman and her "parental advice' she seems so keen to sell to the highest bidder. My oldest child is 19 yrs old and let me tell you there is NO way I would take care of any children she happened to have and enable her to go out and have more! Where does it say that you're supposed to care for your children the rest of their lives? I say this is just as much her parent's fault as it is hers..they obviously are enablers to let it go this far.